In
2001, my wife & I purchased a 1999 Chevy Blazer because the vehicle she
was driving was like a bobsled in the winter. Now, this vehicle was
admittedly somewhat reliable... right up to the point when it hit 60K
miles in 2004. Then it went to hell in a handbasket. Numerous problems;
such as replacement of the front wheel bearings/ABS sensors for $600.00,
both rear brake discs that rusted out on the inboard side (apparently
from no contact from the inboard pad)
the alternator, (typical GM) and the piece de resistance', the
electronically-shifted transfer case that couldn't make up its mind
whether it wanted to in in 2WD or 4WD, and therefore shifted back & forth
approximately every 10 seconds. So when the local trans shop couldn't
diagnose the problem, we decided that we were tired of being hammered
financially by this POS and took a trip up to Beaver County Jeep to see
about a Liberty. We had spotted one at another dealer sometime earlier,
but it was beat up cosmetically so we kinda put it on the back burner.

The
one we ended up buying was a 2003 "D package" Liberty Renegade.
Well-equipped, it had the 3.7L V6 paired with a 5-speed manual trans,
which we both liked. It was also equipped with a 6-disc CD changer,
leather-trimmed seats, A/C, cruise, sunroof, and quite a bit more. BTW,
for those who may not know, a "D package" Renegade has the 4-light bar
on the roof, side rails, roof rack, and tow hooks.

Now,
I'm not really an SUV kind of guy; but as all married men know, we do things
that we might not normally to please our better halves. And initially,
that's the reason I bought this vehicle in the 1st place. But I gotta
admit, this is one sweet little ride. It runs well, handles decently,
and the gas mileage isn't awful. There were a few things that I wanted
to modify on the Liberty, (heretofore known as Hi Ho Silver, because of
the Brilliant Silver paint), like a short lift and mebbe 30" BFG
A/T KO's,
but Crys nixed the lift, so the tires are also out. But, I've managed a
few mods (addition of a Sirius receiver, K&N filter, Garmin GPS) so I'm OK with it.
Maybe later I'll do a Bull bar and another pair of KC's, but that's all
for now.

Here's the KJ on the day
we brought her home. I like that light bar so much, I may do something
similar with the Monster!